Expansion connecter



June 15 1926. 1,588,556

A. w. THOMPSON EXPANSION comwc'rsn Filed March 14. 1921 Fllq. 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR H W Th r272 om mon iii 2 ATTORNEY iii Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR W. THOMPSON, 01 EAST MOKEESPORT; PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

EXPANSION CONNECTER.

Application filed March 14, 1921. Serial No. 452,083..

My invention relates to connecters and partlcularly to flexible expansion connecters or permitting the ex ansion of a conductor attached to a terminal.

In transformer stations and the like, comparatively rigid, heavy conductors, in the form of copli'per pipes or rods, are attached to substantial y stationary terminals, such as, for instance, the condenser bushin of transformers. The conductors are rig d and are usually secured to stationary insulator supports that are frequently spaced 10 or feet from the transformers.

One object of my invention is to provide a connecter or conductor terminal wherein the conductor may be secured to a stationary terminal and whereby free expansion and contraction of the conductor is permitted.

Another objectvof my invention is to provide a connector, having the above characteristics, that may be readily applied to the end of a rod or tube conductor and which su stantially stationary may be attached to a condenser bushing or 0 other stationary terminals at any desired angle with respect thereto.

A. further object of my invention is to provide a simple connecter that may readily be applied in the field and which is compact, inexpensive and durable.

These and other objects, that will be made apparent throughout the further description of the invention, are attained by means of the connecter construction hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the connecter shown in assembled relation with a condenser bushing, and v Fig. 2 is a plan view of the connecter illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the connecter comprises a terminal bushing 3 and a clamp- 'ing member 4, the former being adapted to slidably engage the end of the conductor 5, and the latter being adapted to be clamped to the conductor at a ggint adj acent-the end thereof by means of" Its 6. The clamp is made in two halves and may be quickly appl ed at any point of the conductor The terminalbushing 3 comprises a body portion having a socket 7 into which the end of the conductor 5 is inserted. The socket,

7 is slightly larger than the end of the conductor and permits of relative movement of the conductor with i'espect to the bushing terminal to the condenser bushing 13. By]

reason of the flexible terminal member 8, and the pivoted joint, the conductor 5 may be positioned at diiferent angles with respect to the bushing.

The terminal bushing 3 is provided with a projection 14 which terminates in a flat seat 15 and which receives one end of a flat flexible connecter member 16 to which it is secured hy means of bolts 17. The other end of the connecter 16 is secured to the clamping member 4; by means of the bolts 18. The clamp 4 is so relatively positioned with respect to the terminal bushing 3 that the flexible connecter 16 is bent outwardly from the conductor, therebv providing slack in the flexible connector for permitting relative movement of the conductor 5 an clamp 4 with respect to the terminal bushing 3 which is held stationary by reason-of its engagement with the condenser bushin It will be seen from the foregoing that the conductor 5 is free to expand or contract without imposing any strain whatsoever on the terminal bushing and that the flexible connecter 16 insures a conductive connection between the conductor and the terminal bushing 3. While I have indicated the conductor 5 as being a copper tube of circular cross-section, it is obvious that the connecter may be designed to accommodate tubesor rods of various shapes. The construction is simple and inexpensive and the connecter re dilye rr ed in he fie d;

While l have described and illustrated but one embodiment, of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in he art, that varlous changes, modification 7 substitutions,-

forth in theappended claims.

I claim as my invention I l. A connector for .electricallyconnecting an expansihle condiictor to a substantially stationary terminal comprising a rigid socket member for supporting the conductor "for movement relative thereto and having a. termi connection that may be" adjusted to various angular. positions with respect 4 nstants thei'eto; and a flem hle connecter attached at one end to the said socket member and at the other end to the conductor.

2. A connecter for electrically connecting an expansible conductor to a substantially stationary terminal comprising a .socket member for supporting the conductor for movement relative thereto and provided With means for attaching to the stationary terminal, a clamp secured to the conductor and a flexible conductor for connecting the clamp and the socket member.

In testimony whereof, I have v hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of Februar 1921, I i

y ART W. 'll HQMPSUN.

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